Has there been anything like it in recent years? A round of football getting towards the business end of the season where every team has something to play for. A round of football where each and every clubs season goes on the line. A round of football where the top 4 face off, where the bottom 4 also face off, and where 5 v 6 put their finals football aspirations on the line. No such thing as a dead rubber this Saturday, gents! Lets assess the round:
The top end
PEN vs EEW Penno have dropped from their lofty heights in recent times as the rigours of a long season seemingly take their toll. At no point was this more evident than in their recent 5-1 drubbing in the reverse fixture with EEW, a game from which they must still be stinging. With KEN and NMH breathing down their necks for the 4th finals spot this is a must win game for the Green Machine. For the Tigers, meanwhile, its their premiership to lose from here. But shes no shoe-in with games against a desperate Penno this weekend, a surging Normo next week and equally desperate (albeit for other reasons) RAV and WPH outfits to come.
Mr EUS predicts: 1-all
STA vs HWK The Hawks have been the surprise packet of 2015 finding a way to eke out results with their take no prisoners, uncompromising style of play. They have the chance this Saturday to stay in the hunt for a most unlikely maiden title. The Woodies, meanwhile, dropped all 3 points in the Normogate game last weekend and if results go against them this week (i.e. they lose while PEN and KEN win) they could find themselves out of the Top 4 on goal difference! No shortage of motivation for these two sides on a no-doubt soggy Eastwood Oval this weekend.
Mr EUS predicts: STA 2-1
Middle of the Road
KEN vs NMH The Bushboys must be stinging - after their recent glory years - to be tagged a middle of the road outfit in 2015, but the table doesnt tell fibs this far into the season. For all his incessant ranting and raving StevieB seemingly has a point in terms of the effects of a lack of a youth policy at Kenthurst. That said, theyll still be eyeing off a Top 4 finish and then a GF and Cup double. Normo, meanwhile, are a young outfit whose self-belief has blossomed in recent times. Another win here and they have a real shot at finals football. Then who knows how far the cockiness and energy of youth might take them!
Mr EUS predicts: KEN 2-0
The bottom end
PHD vs YMA The Pumas have fallen from the dizzy heights of being Kenthurst-wannabes the last few seasons. With undeniable unrest in the camp and a season that has been the definition of implosion it would be the ultimate insult for them to finish stone motherless last. But, with a possible move to the Hills Association on the horizon, the care factor may well be at zero. The Y, meanwhile, have been well in the conversation in recent matches showing a vast improvement and willingness to compete. They wont want to suffer the ignominy of coming up only to go back down next year. Expect an open affair at Leslie Shore!
Mr EUS predicts: PHD 3-2
WPH vs RAV The Lions have a proud history in the PL and, while they seemed locks for last place at the turn of the round, theyve scrapped their way back into the relegation argument. The recent addition of Champagne Cheyne between the sticks (legal or otherwise) will only help their cause. The Ravens, meanwhile, would feel they have done just enough to keep their heads above water in the PL, but lose on Saturday and they could find themselves in last place with it all ahead of them in the final 3 rounds. Once more, motivation aplenty at the Lions Den this Saturday!
Mr EUS predicts: WPH 2-1
Good luck for the weekend, gents. Lets hope the rain stays away so the boys can play. Gotta love a tight comp!
i would have to agree its a great round! let's hope the weather holds up.
Very refreshing to not hear about PHD and KEN for one thread.
Let's hope for a good round of footy!
Mr EUS
wrote on 23-Jul-15 07:04Has there been anything like it in recent years? A round of football getting towards the business end of the season where every team has something to play for. A round of football where each and every clubs season goes on the line. A round of football where the top 4 face off, where the bottom 4 also face off, and where 5 v 6 put their finals football aspirations on the line. No such thing as a dead rubber this Saturday, gents! Lets assess the round:
The top end
PEN vs EEW Penno have dropped from their lofty heights in recent times as the rigours of a long season seemingly take their toll. At no point was this more evident than in their recent 5-1 drubbing in the reverse fixture with EEW, a game from which they must still be stinging. With KEN and NMH breathing down their necks for the 4th finals spot this is a must win game for the Green Machine. For the Tigers, meanwhile, its their premiership to lose from here. But shes no shoe-in with games against a desperate Penno this weekend, a surging Normo next week and equally desperate (albeit for other reasons) RAV and WPH outfits to come.
Mr EUS predicts: 1-all
STA vs HWK The Hawks have been the surprise packet of 2015 finding a way to eke out results with their take no prisoners, uncompromising style of play. They have the chance this Saturday to stay in the hunt for a most unlikely maiden title. The Woodies, meanwhile, dropped all 3 points in the Normogate game last weekend and if results go against them this week (i.e. they lose while PEN and KEN win) they could find themselves out of the Top 4 on goal difference! No shortage of motivation for these two sides on a no-doubt soggy Eastwood Oval this weekend.
Mr EUS predicts: STA 2-1
Middle of the Road
KEN vs NMH The Bushboys must be stinging - after their recent glory years - to be tagged a middle of the road outfit in 2015, but the table doesnt tell fibs this far into the season. For all his incessant ranting and raving StevieB seemingly has a point in terms of the effects of a lack of a youth policy at Kenthurst. That said, theyll still be eyeing off a Top 4 finish and then a GF and Cup double. Normo, meanwhile, are a young outfit whose self-belief has blossomed in recent times. Another win here and they have a real shot at finals football. Then who knows how far the cockiness and energy of youth might take them!
Mr EUS predicts: KEN 2-0
The bottom end
PHD vs YMA The Pumas have fallen from the dizzy heights of being Kenthurst-wannabes the last few seasons. With undeniable unrest in the camp and a season that has been the definition of implosion it would be the ultimate insult for them to finish stone motherless last. But, with a possible move to the Hills Association on the horizon, the care factor may well be at zero. The Y, meanwhile, have been well in the conversation in recent matches showing a vast improvement and willingness to compete. They wont want to suffer the ignominy of coming up only to go back down next year. Expect an open affair at Leslie Shore!
Mr EUS predicts: PHD 3-2
WPH vs RAV The Lions have a proud history in the PL and, while they seemed locks for last place at the turn of the round, theyve scrapped their way back into the relegation argument. The recent addition of Champagne Cheyne between the sticks (legal or otherwise) will only help their cause. The Ravens, meanwhile, would feel they have done just enough to keep their heads above water in the PL, but lose on Saturday and they could find themselves in last place with it all ahead of them in the final 3 rounds. Once more, motivation aplenty at the Lions Den this Saturday!
Mr EUS predicts: WPH 2-1
Good luck for the weekend, gents. Lets hope the rain stays away so the boys can play. Gotta love a tight comp!
too long
wrote on 23-Jul-15 08:04Finally some decent additions to the forums again!! You've been gone too long with this stuff Mr Eus.
Ned Zeliach
wrote on 23-Jul-15 10:09Great write up. This is indeed the season defining round for all teams. It literally can go any which way. Its all about who turns up on the day.
Agree
wrote on 23-Jul-15 13:07i would have to agree its a great round! let's hope the weather holds up. Very refreshing to not hear about PHD and KEN for one thread. Let's hope for a good round of footy!
mr reasonable
wrote on 23-Jul-15 21:02Best post of the year! Well done sir....and Go Normo!!